awaken
word
/əˈweɪkən/
uh-WAY-kuhn
/ɐwˈeɪkən/
uh-WAY-kuhn
Definition
To cause someone to stop sleeping, or to become aware or alert to something, often used in both literal and figurative senses.
Usage & Nuances
'Awaken' is more formal and literary than 'wake up'. It can describe literal waking, but is often used for emotions or awareness ('awaken curiosity'). Common collocations: 'awaken interest', 'awaken memories', 'awaken to (a fact)'. Rare in casual conversation—use 'wake up' for everyday speech.
Spanish: despertar - avivar (sentimiento)Portuguese (BR): despertar - acordarPortuguese (PT): despertar - acordarChinese (Simplified): 唤醒 - 醒来Chinese (Traditional): 喚醒 - 醒來Hindi: जगाना - जागनाArabic: يوقظ - يستيقظBengali: জাগানো - জাগাRussian: пробуждать - пробудитьсяJapanese: 目覚めさせる - 目覚めるVietnamese: đánh thức - thức tỉnhKorean: 깨우다 - 각성시키다Turkish: uyandırmak - uyanmakUrdu: بیدار کرنا - جاگناIndonesian: membangunkan - membangkitkan
Example Sentences
The alarm will awaken you at 7 a.m.
basic
The noise outside awakened the baby.
basic
A good book can awaken your imagination.
basic
His words awakened something deep inside me.
natural
It took a long time for the city to awaken after the storm.
natural
Traveling can awaken a sense of adventure in people.
natural